After Sarah passes away Abraham goes to Efron Ben Tzohar in Chevron to buy a piece of land to bury Sarah. Abraham insisted in buying from Efron the Field of Machpeila. Efron insisted in giving it to him for free: “Hear us master, you are a prince of the almighty among us. None of us will deny you his burial site to bury your dead.” (Genesis 23:6)
Nevertheless Abraham didn’t accept his generous gift. He told him: “If you would only listen to me! I have the money ready for the field. Take it from me, and I will bury my dead there.” (Genesis 23:12)
“What is a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver between me an you?”(Genesis 23:16) take notice of how he mentions the price. He wanted to look like a giving person but in reality he was money hungry. We can appreciate the difference between Efron and Abraham with their relationship with money. Efron had a strong desire for money and was exacting in the high price of this land even though he spoke of his generosity. Abraham on the other hand, was eager to pay his debt before it was actually due. He didn’t want to owe favors to anyone.
“Abraham listened to Efron. Abraham weighed the amount of silver he had mentioned in the presence of the people of Cheis: four hundred shekels of silver in standard currency and he accepted it.” (Genesis 23:16)
Why am I taking you through this whole discussion? In the written Torah there is proof that Abraham bought the Caver of Machpeila. It was payed to its fullest without even asking for a discount. This is the receipt of that transaction that took place around 4000 years ago.
This cave is the burial place of four very special couples: Adam and Eve, and our Patriarchs and Matriarchs:Abraham and Sarah, Yitzhak and Rivkah and Jacob and Leah.
This is a very special place for Jews to come to pray and it has a lot of Kedusha (sanctity).
Based on the comment of Paneach Raza; that Abraham bought a cubit of land for every Jew, it follows that the purchase of the field of Machpeila was the first step towards the final redemption.
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